May 16, 2008
Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself
In recent weeks I have been thinking and pondering Christ’s command that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. I cannot pinpoint one incident that triggered my thought process, but I believe the Holy Spirit impressed it on my heart for a reason. Among other things, I have been thinking of the importance and value in loving nonbelievers into the kingdom of God and how showing them the love of Christ can sometimes make them more receptive to hearing the gospel.
I recently heard two speakers sharing about the importance of loving Muslims into the kingdom of God. Even though I had heard what they were saying before, I was struck by their expression that we would probably have a greater impact if our first reaction or decision concerning nonbelievers, especially Muslims, was love instead of fear or suspicion. Of course, I am not at all advocating blindly going into situations without wisdom or God’s leading, but I believe that what these brothers shared is vital to reaching the Muslim world for Christ.
I have read many testimonies of persecuted believers who share awesome testimonies of leading their persecutors to Christ. In some of these stories, instead of the persecuted retaliating against the persecutor, they show the love of Christ and model Christ to their attackers. Praise God, some of the persecutors have accepted Christ. I have been challenged to look at Christ’s command to love my neighbor as myself with fresh eyes. We might not have the opportunity to befriend a Muslim, but we can daily meet and love our neighbors where we live, work and do business. Join me in praising God for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world who have opportunities to model this biblical principle every day. Ask God to give them strength and courage to stand. Also, ask Him to use us daily in loving others around us and allowing the love of Christ to flow into the lives of those we meet.
May 14, 2008
Christian Sentenced for Carrying A Bible
Police pressure convert to return to Islam during ‘illegal’ five-day detention.
ALGIERS, Algeria, May 9 (Compass
Direct News) – An Algerian Christian detained five days for carrying a
Bible and personal Bible study books was handed a 300-euro (US$460)
fine and a one-year suspended prison sentence last week, an Algerian
church leader said. Last Tuesday (April 29) a court in Djilfa, 150
miles south of Algiers, charged the 33-year-old Muslim convert to
Christianity with “printing, storing and distributing” illegal
religious material. A written copy of the verdict has yet to be issued.
The Protestant, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told
fellow Christians in his home city of Tiaret that police pressured him
to return to Islam while in custody. The conviction is the latest in a
wave of detentions and court cases against Algeria’s Protestants and
Catholics. Since January police and provincial officials have ordered
the closure of up to half of the country’s 50 estimated Protestant
congregations. Officials in several instances have cited a February
2006 law governing the worship of non-Muslims. Clarified by subsequent
decrees in 2007, the law restricts most religious meetings to approved
places of worship and forbids any attempt to “shake the faith of a
Muslim.”
Full story available here.
May 14, 2008
Evangelism During the Olympics In Question
A few days ago I wrote about some comments that Franklin Graham made recently concerning evangelism in China during the Olympics. Today I wanted to direct you to an article from OneNewsNow that is titled Evangelism During Olympics In Question. Here is a small snippet...
Bob Fu heads the China Aid Association.
"The Chinese government leaders and also the [government-sanctioned]
Three-Self Patriotic movement leaders have spoken publicly to the media
that the foreign evangelistic effort in China during the Olympics is
not welcome and will not be tolerated," notes Fu.
But the house church leadership -- the independent, underground church
movement -- thinks differently. According to Fu, it is a matter of who
heads the church. And it is certainly not the government, he says.
"To the house church leaders, it's an issue of the lordship of Christ
to the church," Fu offers. "And if the church ceases to do evangelism,
is it the true church? It's a big question."
May 8, 2008
Christian Man Applies for Asylum in Europe
The following news byte is from our friends at Mission Network News.
Mohammad Abbad and his wife fled after he was attacked by Muslim militants in Jordan. (VOMC photo) Jordan (MNN) ― A Jordanian man has fled to Europe and applied for asylum there after being asked to renounce his Christian faith, according to a Voice of the Martyrs Canada report.
40-year-old Mohammad Abbad was attacked by Muslim militants earlier this year which put him in the hospital for a night. While there, he was handcuffed to his bed. Abbad's son and another Muslim convert to Christianity were also victims of the attack. During Abbad's stay in the hospital, his own father submitted charges of apostasy against him.
Just a few days after that attack, Abbad was asked to renounce his faith in a court hearing. He refused and fled the country the next day with his Jordanian Christian wife. Since then, his next hearing was postponed because of his absence, but his father is now applying for custody for the children while Abbad and his wife are out of the country.
The couple moved about in several Arab countries for about two weeks and are now in a European country hoping for asylum. The government is in the process of annulling the Christian couple's marriage, awaiting the delivery of their marriage certificate from Abbad's father.
In Jordan, Christians and Jews are allowed to worship as long as they do not try to convert Muslims. Converts are usually still considered Muslim by the government and report social and government discrimination.
May 8, 2008
Muslims Gang Rape 13 Year Old Pastors Daughter
Compass Direct released this news story today and as I read through the account and even how the police initially reacted when the Pastor tried to file a report with them about his daughter's rape it is hard not to feel outraged.
According to the Compass Direct release the police initially said it was a "false case" and "fabricated drama" as well as using filthy language when addressing the young girl who was gang raped. After pressured by others the police finally filed the rape report.
Elina Das, the victim of this horrific crime, is the only Christian in her school and is constantly harassed because of her family and their Christian faith and service. Elina's father believes his daughter was raped as a way to get him and his family to stop sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in that area.
Compass Direct writes of the father,
Das, who became the first Christian in the area in 1986 and has been key in an increase to more than 250 Christians and the emergence of 12 churches, said the brutal attack was pre-planned and calculated to stop further expansion of Christianity in northern Bangladesh.
Please keep Elina and her family in your prayers daily. And pray also for her attackers and those who are coming against the gospel that they would receive Jesus and have their lives changed.
May 8, 2008
Church Threatened in Turkey by Armed Men
Earlier this week Compass Direct posted a news story about another church in Turkey being threatened by armed men. Here's the beginning of the CD article...
ISTANBUL, May 7 (Compass Direct News) – Three men, one of them armed with a gun and wearing gloves, threatened a Protestant church and its pastor in the Turkish capital city of Ankara yesterday. The culprits fled in a car before police could be summoned.
The attempted attack marked the seventh incident in the past four months of threatened violence against Turkey’s tiny Protestant community, most of whom are former Muslims who converted to Christianity.
Shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday (May 6), three men drove up in a blue car to the Kurtulus Church in Ankara’s Cebeci district. A heavy-set man about 45 years old went up to the locked church building and began to ring the doorbell repeatedly.
“Where is the pastor? We are searching for the pastor,” he said to a church member nearby who was cleaning his car.
The article continues by describing how the man acted when he spoke to a member of the church who was there waiting for a friend.
Please remember the Christians in Turkey in your prayers. They are continually under threat from Muslims and others who deny Christ and wish they were not there.
May 2, 2008
Why Do Abused Dogs Get More Attention Than Persecuted Christians?
I read a great article today that I wanted to share with you because I think the writer effectively deals with the subject of Christian persecution and how so few in the mainstream media and even in the Church seem to address the issue.
The article can be read in full at The Bulletin. Here is the section on Christian persecution I'd like you to read.
Worldwide Persecution Of Christians
I'd also like to address
some of the other great, but neglected issues of our time. One that has
captured my imagination is the persecution of some 200 million
Christians worldwide, which is incredible on many counts. First, here
we have the world's majority religion, over 2 billion strong, being
subjected to some incredible discrimination and persecution involving
everything from economic discrimination to torture and death. Second,
this persecuted group has received little help or attention from the
world and has even been neglected and often ignored altogether even by
major Christian religious organizations. That strikes me as one of the
incredible aspects of this story. Third, this is a subject largely
neglected by the media, which, if it were doing its job, could call
attention to the problem and perhaps start bringing about action and
solutions.
I am shocked by the fact that this problem has been
recognized and documented by books, at conferences and by observers for
many years, all complaining of the plight of the persecuted Christians
and urging action, yet almost nothing has been done.
One wise
observer pointed out that abused dogs get more attention than
persecuted Christians. You have to ask: Why is their more public
attention and media coverage of the alleged abuse of Ellen DeGeneres'
doggies than there was on the 45 million Christians killed for their
faith across the 20th century and still being killed and persecuted at
an increasing rate? Why was there more attention on Atlanta quarterback
Michael Vick and his dog fighting ring than on the 200 million
Christians now suffering persecution - bodily harm and the threat
thereof - and various forms of harassment because of their religion?
Why has the world, the U.S. and organized religion been relatively
inactive on doing something to stop religious discrimination of any
faith and of any kind, which is rampant in the world, especially in the
Middle East, North Africa and Asia? Are morality, conscience and sanity
unraveling worldwide? What's happening suggests the answer is "yes."
Why is the world neglecting this matter? There are all kinds of excuses
but no acceptable reasons. It's time to get action and time to reject
all excuses for inaction. To get better informed on the subject, you
might read the leading book on the subject by Marshall and Gilbert,
Their Blood Cries Out.
Right now, the Islamo-fascists are
coming for all of us. So all of us should be speaking up and standing
up now, before it is too late.
April 30, 2008
Violence Continues in Orissa, India
Today Gospel for Asia has a press release confirming that Christian persecution has continued to increase in Orissa India since Christmas. The most recent persecution has happened this month.
The latest attacks came April 14, when seven women from a Gospel for Asia
Bible college in Orissa were forcibly confined to a room for nearly four
hours. The women were sharing the love of Christ when a local government
official started arguing with them. He locked them in a room and brought in
local journalists to take pictures of them. Finally he forced the girls to
write a letter indicating they were spreading the Christian religion in that
area.
On April 5, two GFA Bible college students were attacked by anti-Christian
extremists in Orissa. The two students, Dileshi Sahu and Reban Tamag, were
handing out Gospel tracts and Bibles when the extremists accused them of
forcing people to convert to Christianity. They stripped off the men's
clothing and beat them severely. The attackers dragged one of them away and
turned him over to the police.
Read the full news release here.
April 30, 2008
Persecution in North Korea in the Headlines Again
Yesterday the Christian Broadcasting Network aired a short video piece on Christians who are speaking out against persecution in North Korea. (Remember I asked you to pray for North Korea on twitter yesterday?)
Please take a few minutes again today and pray for North Korea and also to watch the video.
April 28, 2008
Town Claims Teachers Were Killed for Their Beliefs
Somalia (MNN) ― Four Christian teachers were shot and killed in Somalia, reports Voice of the Martyrs Canada.
It happened during a midnight raid by Islamic insurgents on a the Hakeb
Private English School located in the south-central town of Beledweyne.
Al-Shabab is the militant Islamic group responsible for the killings.
However, they claim that the Christian teachers were simply caught in
the crossfire of indiscriminate shots.
Two of the teachers are British citizens with Somali origin: Mr.
Daud Hassan Ali and Ms. Rehana Ahmed. The other two believers were
unidentified Kenyans.
Despite the group's claim, townspeople say that the believers were
targeted for their evangelistic work. Daud Hassan Ali's wife claims
that her husband was singled out because he was a born-Muslim man who
converted to Christianity later in life.
Read the rest here.
April 23, 2008
Chinese Rearrest Christian Businessman for Printing Christian Materials
Imagine being a Christian in America and being arrested for simply printing bibles or Christian material. This is an awful story on so many levels, but the reason I'm sharing it is because not only is the husband of this precious family suffering, but so is the whole family. A previous report from the Mission Network News will give you some background from before.
Today the Baptist Press is updating this story from MNN's story from December. Here's the beginning...
BEIJING (BP)--Shi Weihan, a Chinese bookstore owner in Beijing, has
been rearrested for publishing Bibles and Christian literature during a
time when a shortage of such materials has been reported in China.
Shi,
a 37-year-old father of two daughters, was taken into custody for a
second time March 19 and has been held without family visits, China Aid
Association said in a news release April 22.
"His wife said she
received no word on her husband's condition, and she has been prevented
from bringing any food or change of clothing since his rearrest,"
Daniel Burton, a spokesman for China Aid, told Baptist Press. "She is
very concerned about his health due to his diabetes and the deprivation
and torture that's often used by Public Security Bureau officials on
the arrested."
Burton said Shi's second arrest was unexpected.
Finish the article
April 22, 2008
WorldNetDaily Remembers the Martyrs
A memorial service has been scheduled in Istanbul tomorrow for three
Christian martyrs who were slain in a vicious attack by Muslims who had
agreed to meet them at a Bible publishing house in Turkey one year ago.
Compass Direct is
reporting the service will be held at St. Esprit Cathedral in honor of
the lives of Tilman Geske of Germany and Turkish nationals Necati Aydin
and Ugur Yuksel.
According to Forum 18 News, a Turkish Protestant commentator described 2007 as a "dark year" for their community.
Some Christians are hiring private security companies and locking
their doors during worship because of fears about the violence
threatened against Christians, the report said.
Read the rest here.
April 21, 2008
Forty-six Christians Arrested, Two Remain in Detention
China Aid Association reports that the Chinese Communist government
recently launched a strategic campaign against house churches in
Xinjiang Autonomous Region.
As a result of this campaign, 46 Christians were arrested by Public
Security Bureau (PSB) officials on April 13, during a Bible class and
worship service in Kashi city, Xinjiang province.
CAA reported, “Forty-six house church Christians were holding Bible
class and worship in the home of Mr. Ding Zhichun, when PSB officials
intruded into Ding’s home and arrested all of them. Forty-four
Christians were released after the trial day, following a 50 Yuan
deposit to the PSB by the family members.”
CAA added, “The Christians were mandated to confess their illegal
Sunday worship activities and study the government’s handbook on
Religious Policy. They were also required to return and recite the
policy to officials within one week.”
The Voice of the Martyrs supports and stands with Christians in
China and encourages you to pray for believers who are living under
immense pressure. Ask God to encourage and minister to the two still
being held by the police. Pray their testimony will draw nonbelievers
into fellowship with Christ.
April 18, 2008
One Year Ago Today - Malatya Murders
It is amazing how time flies and how sometimes it is very easy to forget such horrendous massacres. For example, one year ago today - April 18, 2007 three Turkish converts were murdered.
On April 18, 2007, five Muslims entered a Christian publishing
company and killed three believers in the southeastern province of
Malatya. Two of the victims, Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, were Turkish
converts from Islam and the third man, Tilmann Geske, was a German
citizen who had lived in Turkey for 10 years. News reports said four of
the attackers admitted that the killings were motivated by both
“nationalist and religious feelings.”
My friend Todd Nettleton, who works at The Voice of the Martyrs, but who is writing as a citizen and not as an employee of VOM, shared his thoughts on his personal blog, which you may read at On My Mind
about the murders that happened one year ago today.
Todd writes in part...
My heart has gone many times this week to the
families of my three brothers—Tilmann Geske, Necati Aydin and Ugur
Yuksel—because this day will remind them of their loss and loneliness
since husband, father, son or fiancé entered eternity that Wednesday
morning.
I remember reading with horror the story
last April, the story of three men tied to their chairs and brutally
murdered. For some reason the story grabbed my attention and my heart,
and a couple months later I was sent by VOM to meet with the families
and hear their stories…stories of victory and forgiveness in spite of
their suffering. The trip, from start to finish, was a God-ordained
miracle. It was amazing the doors that He opened, and it left me blown
away by His power and grace.
Todd goes on to write about his experience and shares some of his personal email as he had the opportunity to meet with the wives and families of the three Christians who were martyred for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Please take the time to read all of what Todd wrote and then join me in prayer for those families.
April 15, 2008
Owning a Bible Could Lead to Arrests
In an article posted by the AFP titled
China slammed over "grave" crisis facing NKorean refugees that is really a very sad look at is what is happening to those inside of North Korea and those who fled from North Korea and had the opportunity to take refuge in China.
According to a 48 page report called "Prison Without Bars" by the independent US Commission on International Religious Freedom, those in North Korea who confessed religious belief faced very harsh penalties inside the communist regime.
Some of the refugees interviewed said that if they were sent back into North Korea from China and they were a person who had religious beliefs that they were treated "just like animals" and also even if they had a bible they could be arrested. Others could disappear as well as be murdered.
The article goes on to say,
The commission, which acts as the religious freedom watchdog,
lamented "the grave situation" facing the repatriated North Koreans and
called for global action to contain the crisis.
It said there was
sufficient evidence to make a case that North Koreans in China should
qualify as refugees under the relevant international standards.
Senator Sam Brownback when speaking on this subject said "China's role as the great enabler of human rights abuses," and that
"There
is a dismal record of China in Tibet, there is a dismal record of China
in Darfur, there is a dismal record of China in the treatment of North
Korean refugees," he said, calling on Beijing to stop the "abuses."
Another tragedy reported is that some North Korean women are sold into slavery in China.
The bottom line is that we all need pray for our brothers and sisters who are in China and North Korea, that someday they will be set free from the religious persecution they are under and that the leadership in China would stop allowing abuse under their leadership.
April 15, 2008
Tribal Villager Murders Christian Brother
NEW DELHI, April 15 (Compass Direct News) –
Believing that his brother’s Christian faith was black magic that
resulted in the death of his teenage daughter, a tribal villager in
Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh state on April 3 killed Thakur Sing Bhil
with an arrow shot to the chest, relatives said. Bhil, also known as
Thakur Baba, was a Christian leader from Gatiya Dev village who had
faced opposition from relatives after converting to Christianity. He
was estimated to be 55 years old. Relatives said his brother Mangar
Singh, 45, entered his house in a drunken rage at noon and shot an
arrow into this chest from close range. “My husband’s younger brother,
Mangar Singh, had a 17-year-old daughter who died about three months
ago because of ill health, and he blamed us for he thought that the
conversion of my husband and his praying were responsible for his
daughter’s death,” Bhil’s wife Inda Pasaha Bhil told Compass. “He
somehow misunderstood our belief and prayers to be black magic of some
kind, and since he was always opposed to our embrace of Christianity,
it further infuriated him.” Relatives said police had arrested Singh,
but because of poor communications infrastructure Compass was not
immediately able to obtain a police account of the incident.
April 9, 2008
House Church Leaders Detained; Female Leaders Remain in Jail
- China Aid Association
On March 29, seven house church leaders were arrested in Qu county,
Sichuan province, during a house church praise and worship service.
According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Seven believers were taken
by a group who claimed to be from the local religious affairs bureau,
community administration and national security. Two believers were
released after interrogation, one was released the following day and
three female house church leaders remain in the detention center. "
Meanwhile, on March 30, nine female house church leaders and four
children were arrested by police officials after a Sunday school
service in Sichuan province. CAA reported, "All the children and two
elderly believers were released after interrogations, but seven female
house church leaders are still in the detention center, and one is
missing." According to copies of the criminal detention notice issued
to the family members of some of those arrested, the house church
leaders were being "suspected of using [an] evil cult to obstruct the
enforcement of the law."
These arrests are the latest in the Chinese
communist government’s crackdown on Christians prior to the Olympics
this summer. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with believers in China
despite the government’s attempt to harass and intimidate them. VOM
encourages you to pray for these arrested believers and their families.
Ask God to comfort and encourage them. Also, pray their testimonies
will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him. Deuteronomy 33: 26-27
April 9, 2008
Church Dissolved for Having a Sunday School
-Forum 18 News Service
On March 24, a United Methodist congregation in Smolensk, Russia, was
dissolved by the regional court in response to a suit filed by the
Regional Public Prosecutor's Office protesting the church having a
Sunday school program. According to Forum 18 News, the court agreed
with the Regional Organized Crime Police's assertion that the Smolensk
United Methodist Church was breaking the law by conducting "educational
activity in a Sunday school without a corresponding license." While the
court's decision to dissolve the church means loss of legal status
rather than a complete ban, it does bar the Methodists from maintaining
or developing any form of public profile as an organization.
Pray that
the religious rights of this church will be recognized and restored.
Pray that the congregation will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in
Christ likeness through the opposition they face. James 1:2-4
April 9, 2008
New Testament Distribution by Gideons Stopped by Hindu Radicals
VOM Sources
On April 6, Hindu extremists stopped a Gideons International New
Testament distribution in Bhubaneswar in Orissa State. According to The
Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "New Testaments were being given to
college students that were leaving the Examination Center at the
Central School. These students had just completed their medical school
entrance examinations. Realizing the New Testaments were being given
openly to the students, local Hindus demanded the group stop the
distribution." VOM contacts added, "When the members of Gideons ignored
these requests, more Hindus began to intervene. After distributing 390
New Testaments, the mob became irate and began to manhandle the
Gideons, demanding they leave. They were forced to pack up the New
Testaments and leave immediately. As they were packing up, the mob was
able to take 10 New Testaments and set fire to them in the street. A
few members of Gideons sustained minor injuries."
Please pray the
students that have received the New Testaments would put their faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, pray for those injured in this attack and
for God's Word to go forth without disturbance in this area of India. Isaiah 54:14
April 7, 2008
Turkish Men Accused of 'insulting Turkishness' Still on Trial
Does that headline catch your attention? To be honest, I actually laughed when I read it because it's absolutely amazing to me how it doesn't matter what it is, everything can and will be considered an insult to someone sometime. However, in this case, this story is no laughing matter because persecution of Christians in Turkey is a serious business and I personally have friends who are missionaries in Turkey. Here's part of the story from our friends at Mission Network News...
Turkey (MNN) ― In Turkey, the pressure
is on for Christians, as can be seen in "this trial against these two
men who, by witnessing for Christ, have now been accused of insulting
Turkish-ness--as if the idea of a Turkish Christian is somehow an
insult," said
Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs.
The trial has lasted for about seven months. Nettleton says, "It seems
to be going on strictly for the purpose of pressuring Christians,
trying to set a precedent that public witness for Jesus Christ is not
appropriate in Turkey, according to the laws of that land."
Read the rest of this news story.
April 4, 2008
Serving Persecuted Christians in the Name of Jesus
Today the online site Christian Today has an article titled Serving Persecuted Christians in the Name of Jesus where the Voice of the Martyrs founder, Richard Wurmbrand, is mentioned.
PASTOR RICHARD WURMBRAND
In fact RI was founded in 1968 by the remarkable Romanian pastor
Richard Wurmbrand, who survived torture at the hands of the secret
police, escaped with his family to the West, and then set up a network
of Christian agencies, including the ministry that became RI, to
provide support to the underground church throughout the Communist
Eastern bloc.
Since then, the world has changed dramatically, but the targeting of
Christians and churches because of their faith in Jesus Christ has not.
Every year millions of believers face varying forms of persecution
and discrimination because of their religious beliefs. This persecution
may come from their national government, or its agents, such as the
secret police, military or judiciary, or, increasingly, from
non-governmental groups, such as militant Islamic groups like Al Qaeda
and others.
April 2, 2008
110 Indonesian Churches Closed in Three Years
JAKARTA, April 2 (Compass Direct News) –
Islamic extremist groups and local governments in Indonesia closed
110 churches from 2004 to 2007, according to religious and human rights
organizations. The Wahid Institute, a moderate Muslim non-governmental
organization, along with church associations and the Indonesian Human Rights
Commission reported that discrimination and violence against churches was most
common in the provinces of West Java, Banten, Central Java, South Sulawesi and Bengkulu. Radical Muslim groups coerced
local governments to send letters to churches prohibiting any activities. When
churches did not comply, they would be burned or otherwise damaged, as happened
last December to Jakarta Baptist Christian Church (Gereja Kristen Baptis Jakarta, or GKBJ) in
Sepatan, Tangerang province. Muslim extremists from the Islamic Defender Front
kicked out the windows and doors of the pastor’s home and threw out his
belongings.
Please click here to learn more details about this story.
April 1, 2008
Still No Word from Missing Laotian Pastors
According to Mission Network News, Voice of the Martyrs
reports eight Khmu pastors from Udom Sai Province in Laos were arrested
two weeks ago as they tried to enter Thailand for leadership
conferences. Everything the pastors had with them was confiscated,
including a cell phone. The pastors were reportedly taken back to Laos,
but there has been no contact with them. The Laotian government has
been working to improve their human rights record, but clearly the
church is not yet free from persecution. MNN seeks prayers for the
speedy release of these pastors, and that their testimonies will draw
their captors into fellowship with Jesus Christ.
April 1, 2008
Persecution in China Continually Increasing
I just finished reading an interesting article at the BosNewsLife website titled Wave of Persecution in China; Group Smuggles Millions of Bibles" in which it is being reported that
Markus Rode is quoted as saying,
He said his organization had to smuggle 4.6 million Bibles to China, as authorities limit the distribution of Christian literature. In addition, Rode said, "house churches were closed, Christians detained, mistreated and punished, while their properties were seized by the authorities." He added that Christians are "continuously monitored" by security forces.
The article also reiterates that Christians are under great threat in China. Please keep China in your prayers and please keep the Olympics in your prayers. Pray that the gospel would go forth in power and that many more would come to Christ Jesus.
March 27, 2008
North Korean Students Arrested for Reading the Bible and Watching Bible Video CD
NORTH KOREA – The Voice of the Martyrs is calling on the Communist North Korean government to immediately release 10 college students in Ham Kyung Book Do Chung, North Korea, who were investigated and arrested for reading a Bible and watching a video CD about the Bible.
According to Free North Korea Broadcasting, Mr. Jung, former vice-president of GumRung Company of the Rodong Dang Labor Organization Department, reported the case and has since escaped to China to avoid arrest by the National Security Agency (Bowiboo). “In March 2006, 200 Life Bibles and several hundred CDs were purchased in China and secretly placed in flour bags before being smuggled into North Korea. This huge Bible smuggling case was headed by GumRung Company employees who were influenced by Christianity in China and underground Christians in Nasun City. All the leaders have been arrested and are being severely tortured. If I am caught, I will be sent to a prison camp for political criminals. I didn’t want to die in prison camp, so I escaped,” Mr. Jung said.
In the Free North Korea Broadcasting report, Mr. Jung added that most of the arrested students attended ChungJin College. “These students shared the Bible and video CD with their friends. They also distributed the Bibles and video CDs to the other college towns,” he said.
The Voice of the Martyrs stands with and supports Christians facing severe persecution in North Korea.
March 25, 2008
Pastor’s Arrested by Lao Police
- VOM Sources
On March 18, eight Khmu pastors from Udom Sai Province in Laos were arrested when entering Thailand to attend meetings.
According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Laos, “Two groups of pastors were coming into the country (Thailand) to attend meetings. The first group made it over the Meekong with no problems. The second group of eight was followed by the Laos police. They were searched and two of them had Bibles.”
Everything the pastors had with them was confiscated, including a cell phone. “There is no contact with them since they were taken back into Laos,” a VOM contact added.
Todd Nettleton, Director for Media Development said, “We pray for the safety of our brothers. Further, we call on the Lao government to provide freedom for people in that country to worship as they see fit.”
The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for these pastors and their families during this difficult time. Ask God to protect and encourage them. Pray for their speedy release and that their testimonies will draw their captors into fellowship with Jesus Christ.
March 24, 2008
Eritrea Among Worst Violators of Religious Rights
The following is from our friends at Mission Network News.
Eritrea (MNN) ― The U.S. State
Department has released its annual report on human rights. It
spotlights governments who are accused of human and religious rights
abuses. Once again, Eritrea is among the top 10 violators.
A flood of arrests over the last few years motivated the United States
to designate Eritrea a "Country of Particular Concern," a designation
reserved for countries with the worst of human rights offenses.
The ten worst offender countries are listed as: North Korea, Myanmar,
Iran, Syria, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Eritrea and Sudan.
The problem began as a government-led rejection of any non-Orthodox Christian communities. Voice of the Martyrs' Todd
Nettleton says there are over 2,000 Christians imprisoned in inhumane
conditions. All have been denied legal counsel or trial, with no
written charges.
Despite this open persecution, the government continues to support its
statement issued in May 2003 that "no groups or persons are persecuted
in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion."
And yet, "the body of Christ in Eritrea really has buckled down because
of the pressure. They continue to minister, and they continue to work,
although they continue to do it secretly. They have to do it very
carefully, to avoid government pressure because of government
watching."
But the harassment and persecution fails to stop evangelism and
discipleship. Nettleton says that's because "they understand that in
order to continue following Christ, they will continue to pay a
price. They're ready to do that. They're willing to do that. Because of
that, even in these difficult circumstances, the church is growing."
Pray that the government will stop the campaign against evangelicals and will allow freedom of religion for all.
March 18, 2008
CHINA: CHRISTIAN MISTREATED IN PRISON FOR ‘INSULTING’ MUSLIMS
Guards, Islamic inmates bullying Liu Huiwen for distributing gospel leaflet.
BANGKOK, March 18 (Compass
Direct News) – Liu Huiwen, a Chinese Christian sentenced to 18 months
imprisonment last November for distributing a gospel leaflet to Muslims
in Gansu province, is suffering mistreatment in a Muslim-majority
prison, local sources told Compass. After a recent prison visit, Liu’s
wife Miao Hui Lian claimed that he was limping badly and looked very
thin. Liu, unable to speak openly, told his wife that the prison was a
“very bad place” and that he was being “bullied constantly.” When Liu’s
wife attempted to travel to Beijing to report the abuse, police warned
her to stay at home. A local source told Compass that, “We have reason
to believe the guards or inmates are punishing him for what he did and
trying to cast terror into his heart".
Read more...
March 17, 2008
The Confession of St. Patrick
Today, March 17th is the yearly celebration of St. Patrick's Day all over the world, so in honor of this wonderful man, I wanted to share with you his words instead of focusing on all of the stories about him that are not necessarily true.
The "Confessio" of Saint Patrick
(Click link for full text-
There are 62 paragraphs)
2. And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in
order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn
with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my
insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over
me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished
between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father
would his son.
3. Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so
many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the
land of my captivity. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing
him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders
before every nation under heaven.
4. For there is no other God, nor ever was before, nor shall be
hereafter, but God the Father, unbegotten and without beginning, in
whom all things began, whose are all things, as we have been taught;
and his son Jesus Christ, who manifestly always existed with the
Father, before the beginning of time in the spirit with the Father,
indescribably begotten before all things, and all things visible and
invisible were made by him. He was made man, conquered death and was
received into Heaven, to the Father who gave him all power over every
name in Heaven and on Earth and in Hell, so that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe. And we
look to his imminent coming again, the judge of the living and the
dead, who will render to each according to his deeds. And he poured out
his Holy Spirit on us in abundance, the gift and pledge of immortality,
which makes the believers and the obedient into sons of God and
co-heirs of Christ who is revealed, and we worship one God in the
Trinity of holy name.
...
35. But it is tedious to describe in detail all my labours one by one.
I will tell briefly how most holy God frequently delivered me, from
slavery, and from the twelve trials with which my soul was threatened,
from man traps as well, and from things I am not able to put into
words. I would not cause offence to readers, but I have God as witness
who knew all things even before they happened, that, though I was a
poor, ignorant waif, still he gave me abundant warnings through divine
prophecy.
36. Whence came to me this wisdom which was not my own, I who neither
knew the number of days nor had knowledge of God? Whence came the so
great and so healthful gift of knowing or rather loving God, though I
should lose homeland and family?
37. And many gifts were offered to me with weeping and tears, and I
offended them [the donors], and also went against the wishes of a good
number of my elders; but guided by God, I neither agreed with them nor
deferred to them, not by my own grace but by God who is victorious in
me and withstands them all, so that I might come to the Irish people to
preach the Gospel and endure insults from unbelievers; that I might
hear scandal of my travels, and endure many persecutions to the extent
of prison; and so that I might give up my free birthright for the
advantage of others, and if I should be worthy, I am ready [to give]
even my life without hesitation; and most willingly for His name. And I
choose to devote it to him even unto death, if God grant it to me.
Indeed, St. Patrick was an amazing man of God. Remember to celebrate the truth about him today.
March 14, 2008
State Dept. Drops China from Rights Violators' List
I just finished reading the following paragraph and almost fell off my chair.
The U.S. State Department recently removed China from its list of the
world's worst human-rights violators. No reason was given for the
removal, although the State Department said last year that China's
overall human-rights record remained poor.
Okay...so why the removal then? If China's overall human-rights record remained poor, and anyone who reads this blog knows it does, then why in the world would the United States State Department remove China from it's list of the world's worst human-rights violators?
Meanwhile, in an article by the Associated Press, China is attacking the United States for our US rights record saying,
China's State Council, or cabinet, said the U.S. record on human
rights was "tattered and shocking" and criticized America for its
violent crimes, large prison population and the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
"The invasion of Iraq by U.S. troops has produced
the biggest human rights tragedy and the greatest humanitarian disaster
in the modern world," the council said in its report.
What do YOU think of these stories. Please discuss in the comments and remember the comments are moderated so until it is approved by me, it won't appear.
March 14, 2008
Believers Murdered by Muslims in Ethiopia
The following was published by Mission Network News.
Ethiopia (MNN) ― Evangelicals in
Ethiopia, who may account for as much as twenty percent of the population, face
severe persecution. Attacks against believers have risen in some
Muslim-dominated areas as militants began purging believers.
Voice of the Martyrs' Todd
Nettleton notes the latest incident follows this pattern. The attack occurred March in
the town of Nensabo, about 325 km southeast of the capital Addis Ababa.
Although it's not clear what
events led up to the attack 11 days ago, Nettleton says, "A group of radical Muslims
determined to rid their area of the 'shame of Christianity' came against these
believers as they were gathered for worship. At least two Christians were
killed, and literally dozens were wounded."
Eight of the wounded were taken
to Awassa for hospitalization, while others with serious injuries were taken to
Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa.
However, he urges prayer in the
days ahead. "I think one of the things we can pray for--for believers
in
Ethiopia, and really, believers in all of the places where Christians
are
persecuted--is that they will be encouraged and that they will continue
to be a witness for Christ, in spite of the risks they face."
Pray for safety for evangelicals in
Ethiopia, that the authorities will be willing to oppose those who use violence
in the name of religion. Pray, too, for Christians facing various
hardships as a result of this opposition.
March 13, 2008
China Harasses Christians Ahead of Beijing Olympics
The following quotes are from an article posted today on the BPSports.net.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--With increased
frequency, the Chinese government is persecuting house churches and
banishing foreign Christians from the country, presumably to squelch
voices who might draw attention to the plight of religious minorities
in the nation surrounding the Beijing Olympics.
"We seem to be
seeing a crackdown ahead of the Olympics. Whether that's to send a
message to the church to lay low or whether it is to make sure that
anybody who might cause international embarrassment is taken care of
ahead of time, I don't know," Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for Voice of
the Martyrs, told Baptist Press. "But we do see an increase in the
level of arrests, the level of house church services being raided, that
sort of activity.
"We also have seen a number of foreigners who are Christians who, when the time came to renew their visa they have been denied a new visa and told that they had to leave the country," Nettleton added. "So it's happening both amongst the house churches of native Chinese people as well as foreign Christians who are living and working in China. They're finding that they're no longer welcome."
. . .
Nettleton said his best guess for the increase in persecution is that the Chinese government views the Beijing Olympics, scheduled for Aug. 8-24, as sort of a coming out party where the eyes of the world will be on them.
"The Olympics are a huge event, there will be a huge amount of international attention focused on China," he said. "They want to make sure that they put their best foot forward, and having Christians doing some sort of protest or drawing attention to the religious freedom situation there would not be good PR. It would not make a good impression on the visitors from around the world, so they're going to do everything they can to make sure that doesn't happen."
March 13, 2008
Islamic Extremists’ Protests Lead to Church Closures
Protests from Islamic extremists have stopped worship services at two churches in Sumatra and Java Island, Indonesia.
According to Compass Direct News, “Love Evangelical Bethel church,
near Pekanbaru, Riau province on Sumatra Island ceased Sunday services
after about 60 demonstrators from local mosques on February 15 demanded
its closure.”
The Compass report added the protesters, led by Harry Cahyono and
Victor Ramaddan, said they were protesting the church because it did
not have a permit for expansion. Compass said, “They (the protesters)
wrote, ‘do not build without permit’ in red paint on the church wall.”
Rev. Alex Ritonga told Compass his church was the only church in a
village of 14 mosques, none of which have permits. He added his church
was registered with local Religious Affairs authorities and had been
told he did not require permits to expand his building.
Meanwhile on February 8, Islamic youths protested a Christian
social services house which also serves as a church, in Banten province
on Java Island. They demanded the church be closed.
These latest protests against churches in Indonesia are the latest
in pressure against believers to stop worshipping. Several churches
were closed in 2007, after attacks and pressure from Muslims.
Pray God protects Christians in Indonesia. Ask God to give them
creative ways to continue worshipping even though their churches have
been closed. Pray believers will forgive their persecutors for the
treatment they have received.
March 10, 2008
Sri Lanka Christians Under Persecution
A church set on fire with the pastor and his family inside.
Ten bible school students attacked, kicked, beaten with rods.
A mob of 200 people surrounding a pastors home demanding he leave or face death.
These and many other acts of Christian persecution have taken place in Sri Lanka since the middle of February. Christian Today has more details on these stories. Please click here to read the article and remember to pray for Sri Lanka today.
March 5, 2008
Missionary Kidnapped in India
Gospel for Asia is asking for prayer concerning one of their missionaries who was kidnapped Saturday night.
Haresh Kujur was leading a youth service when he was kidnapped by what is believed to be an anti-Christian extremist group.
Gospel for Asia is asking for prayer for a safe return of Haresh and also that the kidnappers would come to know the Lord.
March 3, 2008
Stop Conversions!
Today Mission Network News is highlighting a report from The Voice of the Martyrs Canada that says that militant Hindus have forcibly entered into two Christian worship services.
In the first incident the report says, "Hindu militants entered a worship gathering at a believer's home by force. They shouted, "Stop conversions" at one man and proceeded to drag him out of the home. Another man followed to find that 15-20 more militants were waiting outside the home.
These two men were beaten along with three others, causing internal injuries."
In the second incident the report says, "...as many as 125 militants came to a church where 15 believers were beginning a worship service. With drums they shouted, "Stop conversions" and "he who talks in favor of only Hindus will rule the nation." After the Christians left the building and locked it down, the militants broke windows and threatened to burn it. Police arrived on the scene, however, and stopped any further destruction. One believer, a college student, was severely beaten as they fled the building."
February 27, 2008
Christian Couple Beaten and Chased From Mosque
The story below is so inspiring. As I read it I was reminded of the zeal of new believers. Please keep this precious couple in your prayers.
VOM Sources
On February 10, Muslin Christian converts, Jemmal Abdo and his wife,
were beaten and chased out from a mosque where they both worked in the
capital city of Addis Ababa. According to The Voice of the Martyrs
contacts, "Jemmal and his wife accepted Christ two months ago. Soon
after their conversion Jemmal's friend saw him talking with Christians
and told the imam of the mosque. Jemmal and his wife were interrogated
in the mosque during a meeting called by Muslim leaders in an attempt
to persuade the couple to recant their faith. The couple refused to do
so, even after the leaders offered them higher positions and salaries
if they denied Christ. The couple was beaten and dragged out of the
mosque." Jemmal and his wife were able to flee to a new location for
safety. Pray for the speedy recovery for Jemmal and his wife, who were
injured in the attack. Ask God to strengthen them and provide for them
as they stand strong in their new found faith in Jesus Christ. Isaiah 54:17
February 27, 2008
YMCA Library Bombed
VOM Sources
On February 16,
unidentified assailants bombed the library of the Young Men's Christian
Association (YMCA) compound in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza city.
According to VOM sources, shortly after midnight, at least 12 gunmen
entered the YMCA compound and kidnapped two guards at gunpoint after
asking them why they worked for "infidels." The men stormed the
building and detonated two homemade explosive devices inside the
library. All 8,000 books in the library were destroyed and the floor,
walls and ceiling were damaged. The attackers stole computers and other
equipment from other YMCA offices. No one has claimed responsibility
for the attack. . However, sources in Gaza reportedly believe that the
perpetrators were Muslim militants acting in response to the
reproduction of cartoons "ridiculing" Muhammad in a number of Danish
newspapers last week. Praise God no one was injured in this attack. Ask
God to protect and give wisdom to believers in Gaza. Pray the attackers
will come into contact with the grace and love of Jesus Christ. Joshua 1:9
February 27, 2008
ERITREA – Christians Released From Prison
On February 16, security police released 35 evangelical Christians in the port city of Massawa, after holding them in custody for six weeks.
According to Compass Direct News, “The 35 men and women had been worshipping in a private home on January 6 when security officials raided the house and arrested those present. The group was denied visitation rights while in police custody, although official charges were never filed against them.” Compass added all the jailed believers were members of the government-banned Faith of Christ Church.
In an unrelated incident, Protestant sources inside Eritrea told Compass that 10 members of the Full Gospel Church, who had been in prison for five years, were released on bail. The seven men and three women, who had been held in Assab’s notorious military prison, had been transferred from Assab to the Adi-Aby prison six months ago.
The Voice of the Martyrs provides assistance to believers who are risking their lives in Eritrea for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. According to statistics compiled and smuggled out of Eritrea in August 2007, more than 2,000 Eritrean citizens are imprisoned and subjected to torture and forced labor because of their religious beliefs; 95 percent of these known religious-prisoners of conscience are Christians.
Pray for Christians in Eritrea as they live their lives for Christ under stringent conditions. Ask God to comfort and minister to them during these challenging times.
February 25, 2008
The Plague of Persecution in India
In recent days we have been covering a lot of news concerning the intense Hindu persecution of Christians in India. According to a story here India not only has a major problem with killing preborn girl babies, but also dealing with intense persecution towards Christians, including some of those who worked with the late Mother Teresa.
It is a violence that has risen to a crescendo in recent years, especially in certain states. Gujarat and Orissa are among them. In Orissa, which faces the Bay of Bengal, south of Calcutta, Australian Protestant missionary Graham Staines and his two children were killed after their car was set on fire in 1999.
Those who are hostile toward Christians accuse them of proselytizing, and therefore violating the Hindutwa, the identification between India and Hinduism asserted by intolerant Hindu nationalist currents.
In reality, out of 1.2 billion Indians, Christians of all confessions make up little more than 2 percent. And they are not expanding, but slowly declining: from 2.6 percent in 1971 to 2.3 percent in 2001.
But at the same time, Christians run one of every five elementary schools in India, one of every four houses for widows and orphans, and one out of three houses for lepers and AIDS patients. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is the nation's pride. Except among fanatical Hinduists.
In fact, the latest explosion of anti-Christian violence that took place in Orissa did not even spare the sisters and brothers of Mother Teresa. Last Christmas three of their houses in the district of Khandhamai were attacked by an enraged mob armed with swords, axes, iron rods, and clubs. The sisters and brothers had to flee into the woods. The aggressors vented themselves by devastating the houses and chapels.
Please remember to pray for Orissa today and all of our brothers and sisters in the faith who live in India.
February 22, 2008
China House Churches—Extreme Devotion, Extreme Faith
In recent months there have been increased incidents of persecution in China. Local Christians believe the Communist Chinese government has stepped up their crackdown on the house church movement in efforts to get rid of them before the Olympics this summer. A few days ago, we just received news that 21 senior house church leaders were simultaneously sentenced to a labor camp by the Linyi City Re-education Through Labor Commission.
China Aid Association reported, “The leaders were detained on December 7, 2007, when they gathered for leadership training with 249 other leaders in Hedong district, Linyi city, Shandong province. After paying fines and finishing detention ranging from a few days to a few weeks, 249 leaders were released. The 21 most senior leaders were sentenced to three years to one year and three months.” What continues to bless and challenge me is the resilience of our brothers and sisters in China and other restricted nations around the world. Despite what we see as hardships and trouble, they remain faithful and count it gain to suffer for the sake of Christ.
What a great testimony of Christ’s love. I count it a privilege to read and learn from their experiences. What I value even more is the opportunity to serve, pray and thank God for their dedication and faithfulness. Pray house churches in China will stand firm in God’s promises, despite the government’s efforts to shut them down. Let us believe God that through witnessing the faithfulness of these believers suffering persecution; many will come into the knowledge of Christ Jesus
February 19, 2008
One Dead, 60 Injured in Muslim Attacks on Christians
On February 2, one Christian was killed and 60 others injured;
churches, businesses and homes were set on fire in the latest Muslim
attacks on Christians in Bauchi state, Nigeria.
According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Nigeria, “One
Christian man was killed, over 60 people were seriously injured and
five churches were damaged.”
This latest attack took place after two friends, a Christian lady
and a Muslim man, had a disagreement. VOM contacts report, “These two
were said to be friends of some sort until they had a disagreement on
February 1. The Muslim man claimed that the Christian lady made some
blasphemous utterances against the Prophet Muhammad. They were said to
have parted ways that day without much trouble, but with a threat from
the man that he would deal with the lady in his own way.”
VOM contacts added that on the following day, the Muslim man ganged
up with Muslim extremists and started searching for the lady. “The lady
was alerted of the attack and ran to the police station. The gang
traced her to the police station and insisted the police release her.
When the police did not release her, the attackers set the police
station on fire. After the lady and the police escaped, the Muslim
extremists attacked Christian homes, churches and shops,” VOM contacts
said.
Believers who lived in the damaged and destroyed homes have not
returned because of fear they might be attacked again. This recent
incident is the second attack within a few months. In December, Muslim
extremists attacked believers in Yelwa Tudu, in Bauchi state. Pray for
Christians in this state. Ask God to comfort the family of the deceased
and those injured. Pray these believers will be encouraged to remain
faithful in their walk with the Lord.
February 13, 2008
Burnt Alive
This morning I received an email from a blogger friend of mine who hosts a radio program in Australia. My friend, Rodney Olsen, wrote a wonderful post about The Staines family, and also posted an audio interview with Gladys Staines regarding the extraordinary story of what happened to her family.
The Staines family is a family that loves and serves the Lord in many areas. One area they loved working in is with those who suffer from leprosy.
Then the unbelievable happened, as a group of about 50 Hindu extremists attacked and killed her family. Her husband Graham and her children were in India when the Hindu extremists attacked them and burned them alive.
Glady's has a remarkable story of forgiveness and trust in the Lord. Click here to listen to the audio interview with Rodney, and also to see how you can buy her book Burnt Alive.
February 13, 2008
Write a Love Letter to Christians in Prison
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly stores change the merchandise on their shelves after Christmas to valentine cards, candy and anything else you can imagine that symbolizes love. Through the years, I have made a conscious effort not to be pressured by the many commercials and merchandise because, surely, there is more to life than buying stuff and feeling all giddy about a holiday.
This year as I was reflecting on the hustle and bustle of Valentine’s Day, I felt impressed to do something different. I decided to send letters of encouragement to our brothers and sisters around the world who are imprisoned for their faith. Can you imagine the difference the letters will make in showing these precious, courageous believers that we love them and have not forgotten about them and their sacrifice? This Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to join me and send letters of love to our brothers and sisters around the world. To get a list of believers in prison, go to www.prisoneralert.com and share your love with persecuted believers.
February 12, 2008
Woman Attacked for Converting to Christianity
By James Varghese
Special to ASSIST News Service
KARNATAKA, INDIA (ANS) -- A woman was reportedly attacked by a group of suspected Hindu group for converting into Christianity at Ullal on the outskirts of Mangalore city, Karnataka state on January 17.
According to news released via the sify web portal http://sify.com/news/, the woman was waiting at a bus stand for her husband, a bus conductor (ticket collector), with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, on that day when a petty shop owner there asked her what her name was and whether she was a Hindu.
She responded, saying she had converted into Christianity 15 years previously. The shop owner then alerted a few people present there about her conversion, following which the group, suspected to be Hindu fundamentalists, beat her up.
He then alleged that the police, who arrived at the spot, beat her with sticks and detained her at the police station. The woman was released only after local political leader U. K. Khader intervened.
Meanwhile, superintendent of police, N. Satish Kumar, confirmed that the incident had taken place and said "the deputy superintendent of police Dharmaiah would conduct an enquiry into the incident."
"Based on the report, action would be taken against those responsible," he added.
See the story at ASSIST NEWS SERVICE
February 11, 2008
Eritrean Christians Arrested Again
This just in from VOM Canada and our friends at Mission Network News.
Eritrea (MNN) -- Next, Voice of the Martyrs Canada reported the arrest of 30 Christian youth in Eritrea in late January. Now, there are reports that 35 men, women, and children were arrested from an underground church in Eritrea. The prisoners were sent to one of the country's most brutal prisons. In the capital of Asmara, prisoners are tortured to reveal the names of other believers. Even the few recognized Christian churches are not spared persecution. Pray for strength for imprisoned Christians.
Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10886
February 7, 2008
Christian Leader Detained in China
Yesterday, my friends from VOM Canada sent out their weekly prayer email, and this story about a Christian leader being detained in China really stood out to me because I send bibles to China every month. Read on and pray pray pray!
At approximately 5:00 p.m. on
January 29, a Chinese Christian leader, Bai Cheng, was detained in
Luoyang, Henan province while he was leading a Bible study, according
to a January 31 report from China Aid Association. That same day,
Cheng's sister-in-law received a criminal detention notice issued by
the Public Service Bureau of Luoyang stating that Cheng had been put in
criminal detention at Luoyang City Detention Centre for his suspected
participation in "evil cult" activities under Article 61 of China's
criminal law. Officials also confiscated two computers and a car from
Cheng.
Pray for strength for Bai as he serves his Saviour in
prison. Pray he will be released soon. Pray that his passion for Christ
will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).
If you are a Christian in Canada, feel free to sign up for the VOM Canada newsletter.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to www.persecution.net/country/china.htm.
The March edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter features the
trials and faith of today's Chinese Church. To subscribe to this free
sixteen-page monthly magazine, go to www.persecution.net/newsletter.htm today.
February 6, 2008
Attacks on Christians May Resume in India
Attacks on Christians may resume in India, says report
India (MNN) -- Hindu militants are now threatening to resume attacks against Christians in the eastern Indian state of Orissa. Mission India's
David Stravers says their Bible clubs, literacy classes and other
ministries have been temporarily suspended because of the violence--a
typical response "because then you're not so high profile, and people
will kind of come to their senses and people start talking. And the
people in the villages who have been benefiting from the ministry say,
'You're not teaching us any more. Why not? We don't like this.' We find
that the Hindus actually come to our defense." Stravers says
persecution typically brings more
Christians to join the cause. However, he's concerned. "We don't know
how long this responsiveness will last. There are workers in place
ready to go. They're passionate; they're willing to suffer; they know
it's dangerous, but they still want to do it. They just need a little
help. They need our materials, and they need a little bit of training."
Your financial gift can provide Christ-centered literacy training.
270,000 Hindus are on a waiting list for these classes.
February 6, 2008
Gaza Christians Need Prayer
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (ANS) -- “Worship
services at Gaza Baptist Church now includes no more than 10 or 15
believers who are willing to risk publicly attending the only
evangelical church in all of the Gaza Strip since October when a church
leader was martyred.”
So wrote James A. Smith Sr., Executive Editor of the Florida Baptist Witness (www.floridabaptistwitness.com).
Smith said that the once thriving evangelical congregation with crowds
|
|
The six-floor Gaza Baptist Church |
numbering about 150 has lost 80 percent of its leadership, reported two
Baptist workers who met Jan. 14 with three Baptist newspaper editors in
Jerusalem.
“I
want Baptists in America to remember that there is a tiny group of
believers who are living out their faith. ... I want the people in
America to pray for Gaza. I want them to pray every Wednesday night and
every Sunday and any day in between that they can pray. ... When they
see Gaza on the news to pray for the little, tiny Gaza Baptist Church,”
said one of the Baptist workers, neither of whom can be identified for
security reasons.
Smith
went on to say, “The workers, who have lived in the region more than 20
years, including many years in Gaza, are deeply concerned for the
evangelicals in Gaza and urge Baptists in America to send cards of
encouragement to the church (GBC, P.O. Box 7364, Jerusalem, Israel
91072).
“In
August 2005, Israel pulled out of Gaza, turning over to the
Palestinians control of the 25 mile long strip of land on the
Mediterranean coast with a seven mile southern border with Egypt.
Twenty-one Israeli settlements with about 9,000 residents were
shuttered. Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization, won elections
last June and now ruthlessly controls the 1.5 million residents.
More...
February 5, 2008
Bibles Confiscated at Airport in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, February 5 (Compass Direct News) – A customs officer on January 28 confiscated two boxes containing 32 Bibles at a low-cost carrier terminal from a citizen returning from a trip to the Philippines, further troubling Malaysian Christians beset by government curbs on press and religious freedoms. Online news agency Malaysiakini reported yesterday that Juliana Nichols produced a letter from her parish priest stating the English Bibles were meant for use in her church, but a customs officer told her the texts needed to be cleared with the Internal Security Ministry’s Control Division of Publications and Al-Quran Texts. The Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri, general secretary of the Council of Churches of Malaysia, said in a press statement that “the Bible is Holy Scripture for Christians” and “no authority on earth should deny Christians the right to possess, read and travel with their Bibles.” He called for the immediate release of the Bibles and an official apology from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
Read the full story at Compass Direct.
February 5, 2008
Persistent Persecution of the Church Continues in Zimbabwe
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
HARARE, ZIMBABWE (ANS) -- Eight Church leaders, including a blind pastor were arrested during a meeting in front of 400 worshippers and detained in police cells in Kadoma (120 km South West of Harare), in what is seen as continuing persecution of the church by the ZANU PF government.
The arrested Church leaders are Jonathan Gokovah, Pastor Raymond Motsi, Pius Wakatama, Pastor Ancelimo Magaya, Pastor Wilson Mugabe, Pastor Zvizai Chiponda, Lawrence Berejena and Gerald Mubaiwa.
In an e-mail report to ANS from the Foundation of Reason and Justice, Pastor Moyo is quoted as saying: "The meeting was for Christians who felt they cannot remain silent while the country burns with companies closing, inflation (26,000 percent) hitting everyone hard and the majority of people suffering."
The Pastors declared: "We are not aligned to any political party and we don't mind who rules this country as long as they are accountable and respect the rights of all citizens. We are just against the prevailing situation characterised by looting and misgovernance."
For more on this important new story, click here to visit ASSIST News Service.
February 4, 2008
Police Attack House Church Members after Burning Bibles
On January 23, members of a house church in Yunan Province were
severely beaten by police officials when they went to the Xishan
District Public Security Bureau (PSB) to ask about their property which
had been confiscated.
According to China Aid Association (CAA), Chen Xiqiong and Liang
Guihua walked into the PSB office and requested an account of items,
including Bibles which were taken from their house church and burned by
police officers in early December 2007. CAA said, “After ignoring the
members’ request, officials proceeded to violently remove them from
office. One female church member, 54-year-old Liang Guihua, was thrown
into a wall and rendered unconscious for more than 10 minutes. After
the assault the members went to a local hospital for evaluation.
Officials who witnessed the event refuse to testify on the members’
behalf.”
•The attack on these house church members follows a separate police
raid on a house church meeting in Kunming where several members were
detained. CAA added, “After searching the building, officials seized
several hundred Christian books, including Bibles and notepads, and
proceeded to burn them outside the residence.”
“This year the world will be watching China as it plays host to the
Olympic Games,” said Todd Nettleton, spokesperson for The Voice of the
Martyrs. “But behind the pomp and medals of the Olympics lies the
persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters. We call on
Christians everywhere to mark this Olympic year with a concerted prayer
effort on behalf of our brothers and sisters in China.”
Pray for healing for those believers injured in this attack. Ask
God to protect and encourage Christians in China who face increased
persecution.
February 1, 2008
North Korea Christians Face More Persecution Than Ever
| Friday, 01 February 2008 (6 hours ago) |
| By Eric Leijenaar, BosNewsLife Senior Special Correspondent reporting from the Netherlands |
North Korean Christians facing severe persecution, report shows.
|
ERMELO, NETHERLANDS (BosNewsLife)-- Christians in North-Korea have faced more persecution in 2007 than ever before, according to
a major human rights report released Friday, February 1.
|
|
|
The
Netherlands-based respected Christian rights group Open Doors said
North Korea is number one on its annual World Watch List (WWL), which
ranks countries by the "intensity of persecution" that Christians face
"for actively pursuing their faith."
For the first time, North
Korea received over 90 of the maximum 100 points given to the alleged
most serious violators of religious rights for Christians.
Vietnam and Somalia disappeared from the WWL's top 10 of its 50 mentioned "worst" countries, while China
returned to that category, Open Doors said in comments published
Friday, February 1, on the Website of Dutch Protestant daily
'Reformatorisch Dagblad' (Reformed Daily). China's return to the top 10
comes amid reports that Chinese security forces have been burning
Bibles while closing house churches and detaining its leaders. Read the full article at BosNewsLife
|
February 1, 2008
Pakistani Pastor Martyred
Pastor Sajid William was shot and killed by unidentified, masked gunmen
on January 17. William, age 29, was on his way home in the city of
Peshawar, in Pakistan’s violent Northwest Frontier Province.
VOM contacts report that Pastor Sajid was employed by a humanitarian relief agency and also involved in evangelistic work.
Unknown assailants were standing near a bend in the road along
William’s route on January 17. Because of the sharp corner, the pastor
had to reduce the speed of the car. When the car came close to the
attackers, they ordered William to stop the car. When he saw the
attackers’ weapons though, William tried to speed past them. The
attackers open fired. Three shots were fired. Two bullets missed, but
the third hit the pastor’s back and passed through his chest. He was
pronounced dead at the scene.
“The world watched following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in
December. We hope the world will also remember the death of this
pastor, killed simply for being a passionate follower of Jesus Christ,”
said Todd Nettleton of The Voice of the Martyrs. “We pray for comfort
for his wife and young daughter, and we pray that bold witnesses for
Christ will be raised up in Peshawar and throughout Pakistan.”
Pastor Sajid had worked with the Assembly of God Church in Peshawar
for the past 10 years. He is survived by his wife and an 18-month-old
daughter. Pray for his grieving family and church. Ask God to comfort
and encourage believers in Peshawar and for opportunities for them to
witness to those around them.
January 30, 2008
Muslim Militants Target Clergy in Philippines
Murderer who sought forgiveness to visit victim’s grave on
Monday.
by Sarah Page
DUBLIN, January
30 (Compass
Direct News) – In the midst of recent threats of violence against clergy in the
Philippines, one repentant murderer
next week will express his remorse by visiting the grave of the priest he
killed.
Norberto Manero Jr. spent almost 23 years in prison for murdering
Catholic Father Tulio Favali in 1985. Granted a pardon and released last Friday
(January 25) – just 10 days after the latest murder by Muslim militants of a
Catholic clergyman, Father Reynaldo Albores Roda – Manero plans to
visit Fr. Favali’s grave in
Kidapawan, southern Mindanao on Monday
(February 4).
Read the full story at Compass Direct here.
